Cardboard folding box construction



18, 1970 s. coNEscu 3,524,519

CARDBOARD FOLDING BOX CONSTRUCTION FIG. 3A FIG 7A ,1 lo M J- lihll 11W 64 ll s' I a l l I I! I i O i I "i I l m 1W Mk i M N W1, v

If FIGSB x FIG-7B INVENTOR 5 ic ng-2y Conescu ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1970 s. co Escu 3,524,579

CARDBOARD FOLDING BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed June 11, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 5' -50 60'59' 5a 5a 66 FIG. 5 w- 53 58"5959 INVENTOR. sldney Conescu Arforney United States Patent 01 hoe 3,524,579 Patented Aug. 18, 1970 3,524,579 CARDBOARD FOLDING BOX CONSTRUCTION Sidney Conescu, 188B 147th St., Neponsit, N.Y. Filed June 11, 1969, Ser. No. 832,364 Int. Cl. B65d /22 US. Cl. 229-34 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A folding box comprising two duplicate members which provide expansion and contraction of the sides permitting one member to fit within the other member forming the cover and bottom of the box.

This invention relates to cardboard folding boxes and is an improvement on my United States Letters Patent Nos. 2,414,854 and 2,777,628.

In the folding box constructions of my previous patents above-mentioned it was necessary to have both a top or cover member and a bottom member, the former being slightly larger than the latter so that the bottom member could fit within the cover member thus forming a complete box. This type of construction necessitates the use, storage and manufacture of two sizes of cardboard members, namely a cover member and a bottom member of the folding type which may be stored in collapsed condition in partially assembled relationship, but may be quickly set up.

In certain other types of folding boxes on the market today the sides of the box have a tendency to deflect inwardly so that the sides are not too rigid and the goods placed within such folding boxes are often subjected to creasing; thus when the goods are taken out of such boxes they do not have the fresh pressed look of new goods.

It is an object of my invention to provide a folding box in which both the top or cover member and the bottom member is of the same size and construction but which permits suflicient expansion of the sides to permit one member to expand so that it will fit upon or within the other member as the cover or bottom when the box members or units are set up and still have the sides of both the cover and bottom members of the box remain in vertical position providing strength and rigidity to the box. Either of the two members of my new construction that comprise the box may be used as the top or bottom member or unit.

To accomplish the necessary stretch of the sides of the members in both the lengthwise and sidewise directions, I provide a V-cut or notch at each of the corners when the box member is in its flat condition and a wedge shaped crease in the opposed sides and end webs which comprise the corners of the box units. When the box member is set up the wedge shape crease and V-cut permit the corners to expand and contract in both directions, namely length- 'wise and sidewise, so that one member can easily fit within the other member to provide a top and bottom for a complete box as will hereinafter be described.

This improved expanding and contracting box construction may be applied to folding card-board boxes of the glued down type and the friction type.

By omitting the wedge shaped crease and having only a lateral crease line, the expansion will be sidewise only but not substantially lengthwise.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference is bad to the following detailed description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for my improved glued down folding paper box tray member;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the blank with the extending flaps in glued down or folded condition lying flat;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one inside corner of the set up box member showing the position of the side panel and end web when the member is compressed to narrow the dimensions of the member so that it may act as the bottom of the box;

FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of the set-up box member shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the sides being in contracted position;

FIG. 3B is an end elevational view of the box shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one inside corner of the set-up box member showing the position of the side panel and end web when the member is expanded to enlarge the dimensions of such member so that it may act as the cover of the box;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a blank for my improved friction type folding paper box tray member;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the blank shown in FIG. 5 showing the blank with the extending side panels either folded down or glued down depending upon the size of the tray member;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of'one inside corner of the set-up box member showing the position of the side panel and end web when the tray member is compressed to narrow the dimensions of the member so that it may act as the bottom of the box;

FIG. 7A is a top perspective view of the set-up box member shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the sides being in contracted position;

FIG. 7B is an end elevational view of the box shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of one inside corner of the set-up box member showing the position of the side panel and end web when the member is expanded to enlarge the dimensions of such member so that it may act as the cover of the box.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive, numeral 10 is a blank from which the body member 11 is formed. I will designate this type as the glued down type. Crease lines 12-, 12 and 13, 13 outline side panels 14, 14 and the end panels 15, 15, leaving an end web 16 at each of the four corners. Between side panel 14 and end web 16 there are wedge shaped crease lines 18, 19. In certain types of boxes, the angular crease line 19 may be omitted so that the expansion of the box may be lengthwise. End web 16 has its upper outer corner 17 arcuately shaped and its lower or bottom edge 20 outwardly and angularly cut making a V-shaped cutout 21 with the outwardly and angularly cut ends 22 of side panel -15 for purposes which wil appear more clearly as this description proceeds. From the end panes 15, 15 there are extended flaps 23, 23 defined by crease line 24. line 26 extending from the outer end of the S-shaped incisions 25 whose axial line is angularly directed to diverge toward the crease line 24, are made on each side of a lateral medial line indicated as 27 with a wide V crease line 26 extending from the outer end of the S-shaped incisions 26 to almost the outer edge 28 of flap 23, as shown on FIG. 1.

At this stage, the blank is fed through a folding machine and as an incident thereof, an applicator applies an adhesive film 29 to the central portion of the flap 23 between the incisions 25, the crease line 26 and the crease line 24. Thereupon, the extended flaps 23 are folded about the crease lines 24 to bring the flaps 23 over the panels and connect the flaps 23 at the medial portion and between the S-shaped incisions 25, the crease line 26 and the crease line 24 by engagement of the adhesive film 29 with the body of the panel 15. While glue is preferred, other known fastening means may be employed. By pasting the central portion of flap 23 to end panel 15 there is a definite break at the crease line 26 and incisions 25 to definitely control the bending of the unglued portions of flap 23 and increasing the strength of the glued parts of the box at this portion. The incisions 25 serve to ease the lifting of the end portions of flap 23 when setting up the box.

In order to set up the box, the side panels 14 are folded upwardly at right angles to the body member 11, the opposed end webs 16 are turned inwardly so that the bottom edges of the web 16 fall upon the crease line 12; the opposite outer end portions of the flaps 23 are then pryed up by their unglued outer edges with the index fingers of the hand and by pressing the thumbs upon edge 24 (which was designated as crease line 24 but becomes edge 24 when flap 23 becomes glued to panel 15) and while placing the middle fingers in the opposed corners, the end panel 15 is lifted upward placing its pryed up outer edges over the upper edges of end webs 16 until end panel 15 is at right angles to the body member 11. The rounded corner '17 of end web 16 facilitates the sliding over of the outer end portitons of flap 23 over the end web 16. Thus, the end webs 16 are locked between the end panel 15 and the outer ends of the flaps 23. This is done at each end of the member.

By setting up two blanks as above described, one acts as the cover and the other as the bottom of the box. Since both members are of identical size and one must fit within the other, it is necessary to provide some expansion and contraction of the side panels 14. This is accomplished by the wedge shaped crease lines 18, 19 and the V-shaped cutout 21, as will be hereinafter described.

To provide the bottom of the box, the opposite corners of the set-up member are pressed inwardly. Such pressure causes the bottom edge 20 of end web 16 to move downward toward the body member 11 and since the ends 22 of side panels 15 are cut angularly, the inward pressure exerted by the fingers upon the corners of the side panels 14 permit the side panels 14 to move inwardly to the point where the outer side edges 30 of flaps 23 may stop against crease line 18. Thus, the opposite sides 14, 14 may be moved towards one another to contract the width and also the length of the box especially at the outer edges of same.

Conversely, to provide the cover of the box, the opposite side panels 14 are moved apart which causes the bottom edge 20 of end web -16 to move upwardly and away from the body member 11 and the side panel may be moved to a point where the outer side edges 30 of flaps 23 reach the crease line 19 thus expanding the cover of the box.

As a rule it is not necessary to expand both the cover and contract the bottom since expanding one, namely the cover, or contracting the other, namely the bottom,

provides sufiicient play to place one member within the other.

Because there are no crease lines in the side panels 14 such side panels cannot collapse inwardly to crease or mar goods placed within the box and provides a firm box with strong and rigid walls.

I have found that in a nine inch wide box I can expand the side walls at their edges easily one-half inch. However, I have also found that a fraction of an inch in expansion or contractiton is sufiicient to place the cover over the bottom or vice versa.

By having crease line 18 as the corner of the box, the side panels 14 may be moved inwardly or outwardly because of the V-shaped cutout 21 which permits lateral expansion of the member. If the crease line 19 is added providing a wedge shaped crease line with crease line 18 at the corner, both lateral and longitudinal expansion and contraction is provided.

In the friction type shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, numeral is a blank of a single piece of cardboard from which the body member 51 of this type of box is formed. Crease lines 52, 52 and 53, 53, 53', 53 outline side panels 54, 54, 54', 54 and end panels 55, 55, leaving an end web 56, 56' at each of the four corners outlined by substantially wedge shaped crease lines 58, 59 and 58' and 59 between side panel 54, 54' and end panels 55. Side panels 54 and 54' are of the same width. Extending from and along the full length of side panels 54' are narrow holding strips 65, 65 which have their outer ends tapered inwardly and are defined by crease lines 66, 66'. End web 56, 56 has opposed outwardly tapered sides 60 and 60' making a V-shaped cutout 61, 61' with the angularly cut end 62 of the side panel for purposes which will appear more clearly as will follow hereinafter. From end panels 55, 55 there are extending flaps 63, 63 defined by crease line 64. Flaps 63, 63 are of the same width as end panel 55 and have the outer ends outwardly tapered. From extending flaps 63, 63 there are narrow extending holding strips 57, 57 divided by crease line 67 and have their outer sides inwardly tapered.

At this stage, the blank 50 is fed through a folding machine and as an incident thereof an applicator applies an adhesive film to either the inside of side panel 54 or 54'. Thereupon the side panel 54' is folded inwardly about the crease lines 53 to bring side panel 54' over side panel 54 connecting such two panels firmly together as one and placing the unglued holding strip 65 upon the body member 51 along its outer edge as shown in FIG. 6 for the purpose as will be further described.

In order to set up the box member, the opposed end Webs 56, 56' are turned inwardly so that the bottom edges 60, fall upon the crease line 52. The end panel 55 and extending flap 63 are then lifted with the thumbs so that they are at a right angle to the body member 51. By placing the middle finger in the corners, the flap 63 is folded inwardly about crease line 6-4 with the index fingers so that crease line 67 falls upon crease line 52 and holding strip 57 lays upon the body member 51. The tapered ends of holding strip 65, are then lifted over the tapered ends of holding strip 57. Since the side panels 54, 54' are glued together, the holding strip 65, which is not glued to member 51, is firmly positioned but can be lifted over the ends of holding strip 57 thus locking the holding strip 57 and the end panel 55, 63 in its upright plosition and creating a sleeve within which webs 56, 56' side.

In certain small box sizes it is not necessary to glue the side panels 54, 54' together since the interlocking of the holding strips 57, 65 will hold the side and end panels together.

By setting up the side and end panels heretofore described, a box tray is formed. Two such trays form the complete box, one acting as the cover and the other as the bottom. Since both members or units are exactly of the same size and construction and one must fit within the other, it is necessary to provide expansion and contraction of the side and end panels 54 and 63. This is accomplished by the wedge shaped crease lines 58, 59 and 58, 59' and the V-shaped cutouts 61, 61', as will be hereinafter described.

By pressing the opposite side panels 54, 54 of the set up member inwardly the bottom edges 60, 60 of end web 56, 56' are caused to move downward toward the body member 51 and since the ends 62 of end panel 55 are cut angularly, the inward pressure exerted by the fingers upon the corners of the side panels 54, 54' permit the side panels to move inwardly to the joint where the outer side edges 62 of end panels 55 may stop against the corner crease line 58. Thus the opposite sides 54', 54 may be moved towards one another to contract the width of the tray unit as shown in FIG. 7.

Conversely, to provide the cover of the box, the opposite side panels 54, 54' are moved apart which cause the bottom edge 60, 60' of end web 56, 56 to move upwardly and away from the body member 51 and the side panels may be moved to a point where the outer side edges 62 of flaps 63 reach crease line 59, 59' thus expanding the cover of the box as shown in FIG. 8.

As a rule it is not necessary to expand both the cover and contract the bottom since expanding one member as the cover provides sufficient expansion to place it over the other or bottom member.

With the wedge shape crease lines 58, 58 and 59, 59 the tray member can be readily expanded both lengthwise and sidewise. If the crease line 59, 59' is omitted the side panels may be expanded laterally. However, in boxes of certain sizes, especially the larger boxes, there is sufiicient flexibility of the outer ends of the end panels to permit one unit to be placed over the other unit to act as the cover.

In the type of box shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the double walls 54, 54' of the side panels provide a particularly strong box with rigid side walls which cannot collapse inwardly.

In the claims, where I refer to member or unit I mean to include thereby that portion of a folding box in the form of a tray which may constitute the bottom or cover, whether separable or set-up.

It should be observed that my folding box units at each made of a single piece of cardboard which is economical in construction and which can be easily and quickly set up with great ease minimizing the cost of handling. It is also a quick, easy and simple process of expanding or contracting the unit to fit one within the other.

I claim:

1. In a folding box comprising two duplicate units one of which may be the cover and the other the bottom of said box,

(a) each of said units having a body member and hinged side and end panels,

(b) said side and end panels being edgewise connected to each other by substantially right angle folding end webs arranged to lie in the set-up condition of said box against one of said panels,

(c) each of said last mentioned end panels carry a locking flap defined by a fold,

(d) each of said locking flaps being foldable over said end webs,

(e) said end panels and said end webs having angular edges forming a V-shaped cutout therebetween when said folding unit is in its flat condition prior to being set-up,

(f) said locking flaps are narrower than said end panels,

(g) each of said locking flaps having a substantially medial portion thereof connected to said last mentioned end panel leaving the ends of each of said locking flaps free for spreading over said webs,

(h) the combination wherein each of said locking flaps is provided on each side of said connected portion with diagonally inwardly directed S-shaped hinging cuts and diagonal crease'lines extending from a point located adjacent the center of the outer edge of said locking flap to the inner end of said S-shaped hinging cuts to control the bending of the unconnected portions of said locking flap,

(i) wedge-shaped crease lines with the point of said wedge-shape at each corner of said unit to permit the side and end panels to expand or contract so that one of said units may be placed within the other of said units,

(j) whereby when said box is in its set-up condition and said end webs are between said end panel and said end flap, said webs are slidable within the pocket formed by said end panel and said end flap permitting the distance between said side panels to expand or contract relative to,one another.

2. A blank for a folding box, said blank comprising (a) a body member,

(b) opposite side panels and end panels divided by folding crease lines,

(c) a flap extending from each end panel divided by a folding crease line, each of said flaps having a lateral medial line,

((1) an end web extending from each end of said side panels divided by V-shaped crease lines,

(e) each of said end webs having its outer corner rounded and its lower or inner edge cut angularly,

(f) each of said end panels having its side edges cut inwardly forming a V-shaped cutout between said end panels and said end webs,

(g) S-shaped incisions on each side of the lateral medial line of each of said flaps, saidlincisions having their axial lines angularly directed to diverge toward the folding edges of said end panels,

(h) an angular crease line on each side of said lateral medial line of each of said flaps extending from the outer end of said S-shaped incisions to almost the outer longitudinal edge of said. flap on each side of said lateral medial line forming a wide V-shaped crease line,

(i) adhesive means at the central portion of said flap between said incisions, said wide V-shaped crease lines and said crease line between said flap and said end panel for attaching said flap to said end panel when said flap is folded at the dividing crease line between said flap and said end panel.

3. A blank for a folding box, said blank comprising (a) a body member,

(b) opposite side panels, each of said side panels comprising an outside panel and an inside panel,

(0) a holding strip inwardly tapered at each end extending from each of said inside panels of said side panels,

(d) opposite end panels, each of said end panels comprising an outside panel and an inside panel, said inside and outside panels having mirror-like tapered en s,

(e) a holding strip inwardly tapered at each end extending from each of said inside panels of said end panels,

(f) inwardly tapered end Webs extending from each end of said inside and outside panels of said side panels,

(g) said end webs forming V-shaped cut-outs between said inside and outside side panels and between said outside panels and said end panels,

(h) crease lines between said body member and said outside side panels, crease lines between said outside and inside side panels, crease lines between said inside side panels and said holding strips, crease lines between said body member and said outer end 7 8 panels, crease lines between said outer end panels 2,777,628 1/1957 Conescu 229-31 and said inner end panels, and crease lines between 3,373,923 3/1968 Martelli 229-34 said inner end panels and said holding strips. v, FOREIGN PATENTS References Cited r 21,631 1947 Finland.

0 714,573 9/1954 Great Britain."

UNITED STATES PATENTS Spare 229 X JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner Keppler 229-34 X Oveuette 4 S. E. LIPMAN, Asslstant Examlner Bockmann 229-34 10 US. Cl. X.R.- Paige 229-34 229-31 

